A Dartmoor beauty spot has been trashed by campers who lit a fire against the park rules and felled trees.

According to the Plymouth Herald, Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) posted photos of the destruction on Facebook, expressing their anger over the unidentified vandals.

Trees felled by campers at New Bridge

"It's hard to know where to start explaining why this sort of behaviour is wrong," the post read.

"It took place in a National Park. The bye-laws clearly state no fires.

"It took place in a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) damaging trees and bushes.

"The debris left in the fire is a danger to the ponies that were grazing nearby.

"And finally green wood won't even burn!"

A campfire lit on a beauty spot on Dartmoor

The green space, near New Bridge car park, was also left covered in litter including a barbecue grill and tin cans.

"Why would anyone think it is acceptable to head off for an evening out on Dartmoor, taking a saw with them, and then cut boughs off living trees and bushes so that they can have a fire?" the post continued.

"They then threw bottles, cans , a barbecue grill and other rubbish into the remains of their unsuccessful fire and left it for someone else to clear up."

A bough sawn off a tree by campers at New Bridge, Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park states fires should not be lit unless on authorised camp sites.

It is acceptable to backpack camp for one or two nights as part of a walking expedition in some areas of open moorland, well away from roads or settlements using a ‘no impact’ approach - this includes avoiding lighting fires and not leaving waste behind.

Scores of social media users have since commented on the DPA post, adding their own sadness and anger at the state in which the site was left.

Phil Hutt, DPA director, said: "Despite the bad behaviour of a minority what has been encouraging has been the number of people who have responded and obviously care deeply about Dartmoor."